Cryptochloris wintoni, Broom, 1907

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2018, Chrysochloridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 180-203 : 202

19.

De Winton’s Golden Mole

Cryptochloris wintoni

French: Taupe-dorée de De Winton / German: De Winton-Goldmull / Spanish: Topo dorado de De Winton

Taxonomy. Chrysochloris wintoni Broom, 1907 ,

Port Nolloth, Northern Cape Prov- ince, South Africa.

The species wintoni was formerly consid- ered subspecifically distinct from C. zyli but now considered a distinct species due to consistent differences in pelage color and malleus morphology. Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality in NW Northern Cape Province, NW South Africa.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 86-92 mm, hindfoot 10-3-10-5 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. De Winton’s Golden Mole is very small and is easily confused with Grant’s Golden Mole ( Eremitalpa granti ). Dorsum is slate-gray, with yellowish tinge on forehead, cheeks, and lips; venter is slightly paler.

Habitat. Coastal dunes and adjacent sandy areas in Strandveld Succulent Karoo biome.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List. De Winton’s Golden Mole is known from only one location and has not been caught for 50 years. It is no doubt severely threatened by habitat alteration resulting from alluvial diamond mining and infrastructure resulting from expansion of Port Nolloth harbor.

Bibliography. Bronner (2013b), Bronner & Asher (2016d), Roberts (1951).

Figures

0. Yellow Golden Mole (Calcochloris obtusirostris), 1. Hottentot Golden Mole (Amblysomus hottentotus), 2. Robust Golden Mole (Amblysomus robustus), 3. Highveld Golden Mole (Amblysomus septentrionalis), 4. Marley’s Golden Mole (Amblysomus marleyi), 5. Fynbos Golden Mole (Amblysomus corriae), 7. Congo Golden Mole (Huetia leucorhina), 8. Somali Golden Mole (Huetia tytonis), 9. Gunning’s Golden Mole (Neamblysomus gunningi), 10. Juliana’s Golden Mole (Neamblysomus julianae), 11. Arend’s Golden Mole (Carpitalpa arendsi), 12. Sclater’s Golden Mole (Chlorotalpa sclateri), 13. Duthie’s Golden Mole (Chlorotalpa duthieae), 14. Stuhlmann’s Golden Mole (Chrysochloris stuhlmanni), 15. Cape Golden Mole (Chrysochloris asiatica), 16. Visagie’s Golden Mole (Chrysochloris visagier), 17. Rough-haired Golden Mole (Chrysospalax villosa), 18. Giant Golden Mole (Chrysospalax trevelyani), 19. De Winton’s Golden Mole (Cryptochloris wintoni), 20. Van Zyl's Golden Mole (Cryptochloris zyli), 21. Grant's Golden Mole (Eremitalpa grant)

Distribution. Known only from the type locality in NW Northern Cape Province, NW South Africa.